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Controversial Ukrainian-born pianist dropped from TSO concerts

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Brasscasing:
Controversial Ukrainian-born pianist dropped from TSO concerts

..."The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has cancelled appearances this week by Ukrainian-born piano soloist Valentina Lisitsa, apparently because of tweets she posted that were hostile to the current Ukrainian government. "...

..."Mr. Grod said he supports the TSO’s decision. “Most disturbing are Ms. Lisitsa’s false allegations that the government of Ukraine is ‘Nazi,’ and stating that the Government of Ukraine is setting up ‘filtration camps,’” he said. “These are only a few examples of the hateful opinions that Ms. Lisitsa has shared through her Twitter account.”...

...“As one of Canada’s most important cultural institutions,” Mr. Melanson’s statement says, “our priority must remain on being a stage for the world’s great works of music, and not for opinions that some believe to be deeply offensive.”...

www.theglobeandmail.com

Good for the TSO. Hopefully she's invited to leave Canada at her earliest opportunity and encouraged to not return.

Brass

Boethius:
She'll probably complain about her freedom of speech being violated.
 
I suspect she was dropped because there are some wealthy Ukrainians who are TSO benefactors.
 
My husband listens to a lot of classical pianists.  He said if he has a chance to listen to a piece by her or by anyone else, he will always choose the latter.  He calls her "empty".

Brasscasing:

--- Quote from: Boethius on April 07, 2015, 10:21:32 AM ---She'll probably complain about her freedom of speech being violated.

--- End quote ---

Yep, she's apparently twittering up a storm. I don't think she's getting much of a response though.


--- Quote from: Boethius on April 07, 2015, 10:21:32 AM ---I suspect she was dropped because there are some wealthy Ukrainians who are TSO benefactors.

--- End quote ---

Coincidently enough that's her contention as well. :D


--- Quote from: Boethius on April 07, 2015, 10:21:32 AM ---My husband listens to a lot of classical pianists.  He said if he has a chance to listen to a piece by her or by anyone else, he will always choose the latter.  He calls her "empty".

--- End quote ---

She'll probably find her tour engagements somewhat curtailed after this incident as well. I don't know of many patrons of the classical arts who wish to support hate mongering.

Brass

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